Knockdown packaging unit

ABSTRACT

The invention is directed to a packaging unit which can be readily assembled and disassembled. Under one embodiment of the invention, two separate frame members of different widths are secured to the inside of the ends of a packing box by hooks engaging apertures in metal strips secured to the inside of the box ends so that the frame members are readily removable and supported by the box ends. The frame members are located at different heights with the frame member located at the greatest height being at the rear portion of the ends of the box. The frame members are interchangeable to change the width of the frames at each respective height to accommodate furniture of different configuration within the packaging unit. The frames support the ends of horizontal protective panels and the panels are additionally supported between the frames by intermittent, readily removable brackets secured to base plates and backing plates which are of the same lengths as the panels. The furniture may be located in the packing box before the packaging unit is assembled, although after the unit is assembled, the rear part of the unit is open so that furniture, such as a davenport or overstuffed chairs may be inserted upon removal of the back panel, or before the panel is located in place. In another embodiment, the end frames are of one-piece, stepped construction and support themselves inside a packing box, but are also devised so that the panels at the two levels of the respective end frames may be interchanged.

United States Patent [451 Mar. 21, 1972 Eickhoff [54] KNOCKDOWN PACKAGING UNIT Maynard W. Eickhoff, 4124 W. Kiehnau Ave., Milwaukee, Wis. 53209 [22] Filed: May 5,1970

[21] Appl.No.: 34,748

[72] Inventor:

Primary Examiner-William T. Dixson, Jr. Attorney-Andrus, Sceales, Starke & Sawall 57 ABSTRACT The invention is directed to a packaging unit which can be readily assembled and disassembled. Under one embodiment of the invention, two separate frame members of different widths are secured to the inside of the ends of a packing box by hooks engaging apertures in metal strips secured to the inside of the box ends so that the frame members are readily removable and supported by the box ends. The frame members are located at different heights with the frame member located at the greatest height being at the rear portion of the ends of the box. The frame members are interchangeable to change the width of the frames at each respective height to accommodate furniture of different configuration within the packaging unit. The frames support the ends of horizontal protective panels and the panels are additionally supported between the frames by intermittent, readily removable brackets secured to base plates and backing plates which are of the same lengths as the panels. The furniture may be located in the packing box before the packaging unit is assembled, although after the unit is assembled, the rear part of the unit is open so that furniture, such as a davenport or overstuffed chairs may be inserted upon removal of the back panel, or before the panel is located in place. In another embodiment, the end frames are of one-piece, stepped construction and support themselves inside a packing box, but are also devised so that the panels at the two levels of the respective end frames may be interchanged.

10 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures Patented March 21, 1972 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. MAYNARD W EICKHOFF Attorneys Patented March 21, 1:972

3 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG 5 INVENTOR. MAYNARD W EICKHOFF Attorneys Patented March 21, 1972 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. MAYNARD W EICKHOFF BY f fl Attorneys KNOCKDOWN PACKAGING UNIT BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In the storage and transportation of furniture, particularly of the overstuffed type, it is desirablethat no objects rest on the furniture when the furniture is packaged. It is further desirable that the packaging unit be of a type which can be quickly assembled and disassembled so that the packaging unit can be reused. The invention is therefore directed to a basic stepped-type end frame construction which supports the ends of elongated protective or support panels at different heights or horizontal levels, with the front panel being at a lower height than the rear panel. The panels also are supported intermittent the end frames and are of different width so that they may be employed at the front or the rear level to accommodate furniture underneath the panels of different configuration, particularly with respect to the back and arm construction. The panel interchangeable feature of the invention is believed to be unknown in the prior art, as well as the use of the readily removable brackets which are employed intermittent the end frames to additionally support the panels.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In general, the invention in one embodiment of the invention consists of vertically spaced frame members of stepped construction formed of horizontally extending arms which terminate in a downwardly extending arm or flange located forwardly and the frame members are removably secured to the inside of the ends ofa packaging box which provides a support for the frames. The frames in this embodiment are of two pieces of a generally angle iron construction, and one of the pieces has a longer horizontally extending arm than the other. The frame pieces are interchangeable in that each can be located at either a higher or lower horizontal position relative to the other, the purpose being to accommodate furniture of different configurations in the packaging unit.

The frames are provided with spaced hooks so that they can be removably secured to the end walls ofa packaging box by inserting the hooks into apertures in rails secured to the inside ofthe respective ends of the packing box with one rail on each box end being located higher than the other rail which is secured to each box end.

The frame pieces respectively support panels of different widths. Thus. the ends of the support panel of the greatest width are placed on the frame members having the longest horizontal arm and may extend, for example, about the length of the usual davenport. The ends of the narrowest support panel are placed on the frame members with the shortest horizontal arms. The 'panel of greater width is located in the lowermost horizontal position if the angled frame piece having the longest horizontal arm is so located and this then locates the narrowest panel in the uppermost horizontal plane on the frame arm of less extent. To reverse the panels to locate the widest panel in the uppermost plane and narrowest panel in the lowermost plane, the frame pieces are unhooked from the rails and interchanged to hook the frame piece with the shortest horizontal arm in the lowermost position and the frame piece with the longer horizontal arm in the uppermost position.

In order to strengthen the packaging unit, a vertically extending base panel is secured to each of the downwardly extending flanges of the frame pieces and extend from one end of the packing box to the other. Vertically extending back plates are also employed behind each panel.

. In order to additionally support the respective support panels between the frame members, removable brackets of special construction are employed so that they can be readily hooked and unhooked from supporting position. The brackets are intermittently spaced and extend underneath the support panels. Each bracket extends horizontally and terminates at the rear in an upstanding flange. Each end of the bracket has a reverse bend in opposite directions and toward each other to provide a hook for hooking the brackets to a support panel and a back plate. At the hooking position of each bracket, metal clips are provided to receive the reverse bends of the brackets. Further means are provided to locate the forward end of the brackets over the upper end of a respective base panel. Each back plate is held in a vertical upright position by the horizontal panels and the removable brackets which extend beneath each panel and then vertically upwards behind each back plate. All the parts described are readily assembled as described and are readily disassembled if this is desirable.

In the usual warehouse where the packaging unit is employed, the packaging box will be assembled so that the rear, top, bottom and end panels will be in place and secured together and the front panel will be off. In this situation, the overstuffed furniture to be stored in the box is located in the box from the front and the packaging unit described is then assembled within the box and other articles may be located on top of the support panels. The front panel is then secured in place. Thereafter, in the event that the box is not filled, the rear panel is removed and overstuffed furniture or the like is loaded into the box beneath the support panels from the rear, the rear of the packaging unit being open so that this can be done. The rear panel is then secured in place.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The drawings furnished herewith illustrate a preferred construction of the present invention in which the above advantages and features are clearly disclosed as well as others which will be clear from the following description.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the invention with parts broken away and sectioned and showing the packaging unit assembled within a packing box and an overstuffed chair inside the unit;

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of FIG. 1 with parts in elevation illustrating the use of the wide panel at the front of the unit and in lowermost position and the narrower anel in the rear and at the highermost position;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 of the packaging unit with parts in elevation and with the narrow panel in front and at a lower level than the wide panel in the rear to accommodate a chair with wide sides on the back of the chair;

FIG. 4 is a section taken on lines 44 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a section taken on lines 5-5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the clip within which a bracket is lodged and overlying the upper edge ofa base plate;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a bracket with parts broken away and sectioned and showing a different type of clip construction; and

FIG. 8 is an end elevational view illustrating another embodiment of the invention.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown a packing box 1 within which the knockdown packaging unit of the invention is assembled, with an overstuffed chair 2 shown in FIG. 1 and located inside box 1.

Under the first embodiment of the invention, the ends 3 of the packing box are utilized. A pair of elongated rails 4 are secured to the inside of the respective ends 3 of the box in vertically spaced position and each rail is provided with a series of apertures 5.

A frame provided from angle iron 6 and a second angle iron 7 is secured to each rail 5. Angle iron 6, as may be observed in FIGS. 1 and 2, consists of a relatively short horizontal arm 8 and a downwardly extending flange or vertical arm 9. In FIGS. 1 and 2, angle iron 6 is shown as secured to rail 4 in the uppermost position. The angle iron 7 has a longer horizontal arm 10 and also a downwardly extending flange or arm 11 and in FIGS. 1 and 2, the angle iron frame member 7 is in the lowermost position. Thus, a chair of the construction of chair 2 can be accommodated as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the angle iron frame members 6 and 7 are each provided with the spaced upturned hooks 12 which register with apertures 5 and permit ready hooking of place, a vertical base panel 14 is secured to the depending flange 9 of angle iron frame 6 and a second vertical base panel is secured to the depending flange ll of the angle iron frame 7.

In order to make each base panel 14 and 15 readily removable, a quick knockdown connection is provided, as shown in FIG. 5 in connection with base panel 14. A slot 16 is provided in the corner of each of the frames 6 and 7, and adjacent the ends of each base panel 14 and 15, vertically spaced holes are provided through which, in alignment with corresponding holes in frames 6 and 7, projects a U-shaped clamp 17. A pin 18 is inserted in slot 16 and projects downwardly through ver- I tically aligned slots 19'in the vertically spaced arms 21 of the clamp 17 and back of each respective base panel 14 and 15. Each pin 18 is tapered on the inside as at 20, but of straight configuration at the area of the walls of the slots 19 when the pin is driven home. The pin has a projection 22 at the upper end to act as a stop against the respective frame members 6 and 7 when the pins 18 are driven home. The pins 18 are readily removed by tapping them at the lower end to thereby release the base panels 14 and IS.

The packaging unit of the invention, as can be observed in FIGS. 1 and 2, is provided with an elongated protective or support panel 23 which, at its respective ends, rests on the frame 7. Similarly, an elongated protective or support panel 24 of lesser width rests at its respective end on the frame 6. In order to support the panels 23 and 24 intermediate the frames, the brackets 25 are provided intermittently and extend underneath panels 23 and 24.

In addition, a forward back plate 26 extends upwardly from frame 7 to the rear of the panel 23 and is supported at its ends on frame 7. Similarly, a rear back plate 27 projects upwardly from frame 6 to the rear of panel 24 and is supported at its ends on frame 6.

The brackets 25 each extend horizontally beneath the panels 23 and 24, as previously noted, and terminate in an upstanding flange 28 which extends behind the respective back plates 26 and 27 with which the brackets 25 are assembled. The back plate 26 is vertically spaced from base plate 14.

The brackets 25 terminate at the upper end of flange 28 in a reverse bend 29 so that each bracket 25 may be readily hooked by reverse bend 29 over the upper end of back plates 26 and 27. At the forward end, each bracket is provided with a reverse bend 30 and a downwardly facing channel 31. The

respective channels on the brackets 25 fit over the upper edge of the base panels 15 and 14, as illustrated with respect to panel 15 in FIG. 6. In order to reinforce the panels 23 and 24 to receive the reverse bend 30 of a bracket 25, as well as the back plates 26 and 27 to receive the reverse bend 29, the respective panels and back plates are provided with the intermittently spaced clips 32 seen in FIG. 6 in connection with the I assembly of the clips 32 on the panel 23, and since the clips are similarly assembled on the panel 24 and the back plates 26 and 27, a clip 32 only need be described as shown in FIG. 6. The clips 32 are ordinarily of metal of a generally U or channel shape and have a rectangular shaped opening 33 at the base to receive the reverse bend 30 of a bracket 25 or reverse bend 29 of a bracket 25. Each clip 32 is secured to a panel, such as the panel 23 in FIG. 6, by ears 34 which result from notching each edge of the clips 32 and then driving the resulting cars 34 into the panel 23 or 24, as the case may be, to hold each clip 32 securely in place.

When the brackets 25 are secured in place, as described, the panels 23 and 24 are supported intermediate the ends so that items which may be desired to be stored or be transported, may be placed on top of the panels and do not contact the overstuffed furniture underneath the panels.

Referring to FIG. 4, additional rigidity is provided in the packaging unit by tabs 35, one such tab being shown, which are secured to the end brackets 25 and project beneath the horizontal arms 8 and 10 of the respective frames 6 and 7.

As previously noted in FIG. 3, the frames 6 and 7 have been interchanged from their position in FIGS. 1 and 2 to locate the widest protective panel 23 at the uppermost position and the narrowest protective panel 24 at the lowermost position. Thus, as previously noted, a chair 13 of different length arms and back can be inserted into the package unit over that of the chair 2, which has been inserted, as shown in FIG. 1. The panels 23 and 24 are provided with hand holes 36 so that the respective panels may be readily grasped and lifted or lowered into position. FIG. 2 illustrates in dotted lines the panels 23 and 24 in position before the same are dropped into place and dotted lines in FIG. 2 similarly illustrate the position of the .back plates 26 and 27 before they are forced into final position.

In the packaging unit described as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, for example, ends 3 of the box 1, before the unit was assembled, were secured together by the top and bottom panels 37 and the rear panel 33. The chair 2 was then loaded inside the box 1 and the packaging unit was then assembled, as described, utilizing the ends 3 of box 1 to support the unit and was then closed by the front panel 38a. The various panels of the box 1 are held together in the usual manner by readily removable clips, not shown.

FIG. 7 illustrates another embodiment of the invention for locating the forward end of each bracket 25 over a respective base panel 14 and 15. In this embodiment, a clip 39 corresponding to metal clip 32 is located over the base panel such as panel 14 at the desired location of a bracket 25. The clip 39 is secured to base panel 14 by driving ear 40 into the panel 14. The panel 14 at the location of clip 39 has a groove or slot 41 therein in line with an opening 42 in the clip 39. The underside of bracket 25 has an angle iron 43 welded thereto and the short leg 44 of angle iron 43 extends through the opening 42 in clip 39 and into slot 41 in the upper edge of base panel 14. The construction provides a metal-to-metal contact at the area where the brackets 25 are secured to a base panel and support and back plates 26 and 27.

FIG. 8 illustrates a second embodiment where the end frames 45 are of one-piece construction and ordinarily employed in the packing box 1 without use of the end panels 3 of the box 1 for support. All the parts are the same as in the first embodiment and need not again be described, the only difference being in the end frames 45 and the support of the widest panel 46 on the lower arms of the frames.

Each frame 45, which is of a stepped construction, comprises a bottom section provided with three vertical legs 47 joined'at the bottom by a horizontally extending brace 48 and at the upper end by the horizontally extending arm or brace 49. The upper section of the frame 45 also has three vertical legs 50, the rear leg 50 being an extension of the rear leg 47 of the bottom section. The legs 50 are joined at the bottom by the horizontally extending brace 49. The upper ends of legs 50 are joined by the horizontally extending arm 51 which is of a length in each frame member to support either the widest panel 46 or the narrowest panel 52. In FIG. 8, the narrowest panel 52 is shown as resting on upper arm 51.

The lower arm or brace 49 of each frame projects forwardly from the forward leg 50 of the upper section of each frame a sufficient distance to receive the narrowest panel 52. When the widest panel 46 is located on the arms 49, it is necessary that the panel be recessed at the rear end portions as at 53 in order to clear the forward leg 50 of the upper section of the frame. The forward end portion of panel 46 rests on arm 49 and the rearward portion is supported by the end bracket 54.

In assembling the unit, the description will be directed to the first embodiment as illustrated in FIG. 1, since the assembly of the packaging unit is similar in both embodiments. The assembly ordinarily starts with the box 1 already assembled so that the end panels 3 are secured together by top and bottom panels 37 and rear panel 38 and the rails 4. The box is open at the front and the rails 4 are secured to the inside of ends 3. The chair 2 has been loaded inside the box 1 from the front.

The protective or support panels 23 and 24 and back plates 26 and 27 are initially provided with the clips 32 by locating the clips intermittently along the front edge of each panel and over the upper ends of the back plates at the desired location of bracket 25 and driving the ears 34 on each clip home into a respective panel or base plate. Thus, the frame pieces 6 and 7 are connected to rails 4 by inserting hooks 12 on the pieces 6 and 7 into the apertures 5 in the respective rails 4 with frame piece 6 in the highermost position and frame piece 7 in the lowermost position.

Next, the rear base panel 14 is secured to frame 6 by inserting U-shaped clamp 17 through aligned holes in one end ofthe base panel 14 and the frame 6 and forcing the pin 18 home through the slots 19 in arms 21 of clamp 17. This procedure is followed at each end of base panel 14 and a similar procedure follows in securing base panel to frame 7. It is immaterial as to which base panel is first secured into place.

Next, the brackets are each respectively assembled with the back plate 27 so that the brackets extend beneath the back plate and are each hooked into a respective clip 32. Then, the front reverse bend of each bracket 25 is slipped into the respective opening 33 in each clip 32 on support panel 24, the ends of which rest on frame arms 8 and the panel 24. The panel 24, which is then in the position shown in the dotted lines in FIG. 2, is lowered onto the brackets 25 to thereby hold back plate 27 in an upright position and securing the back plate 27 and the brackets 25 and panel 24 together. When the panel 24 is in place, pins 18 are also held securely in place.

The same described procedure is then followed with the forwardly located brackets 25, forward back plate 26 and the wide panel 23.

Ordinarily, in a warehouse, once a packaging unit is assembled, it would not be disassembled. lf overstuffed furniture is located in the unit and needs to be removed, the back panel 38 is removed and the furniture pulled out from the rear. If other articles are stored in the box on top of the support panels 23 and 24, the front panel 38a is removed and the articles lifted out.

However, ifit is necessary to knock the unit down and disassemble it, the front panel 380 is removed and the protective panels 23 and 24 are lifted from horizontal position by grasping the same through hand holes 36 provided in panels 23 and 24. The panels are slipped from the reverse bend at the forward end of the brackets 25 and removed. The back plates 26 and 27 are then pulled forward at the lower end to release the reverse bend 29 from the upper edge of the back plates. The brackets 25 and back plates 26 and 27 are then lifted out of position.

Then, the base panels 14 and 15 are removed by knocking out pins 18 from clamps 17 and the frame pieces 6 and 7 are unhooked from the rails 4. Rails 4 would ordinarily remain secured to the box ends 3.

The disassembly of the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 8 follows essentially the same procedure.

The invention provides a knockdown packaging unit which can be used over and over again, since it is easily assembled and disassembled. The protective panels of the unit may be interchanged to different levels of position to accommodate different shapes and sizes of furniture.

Various embodiments of the invention may be employed within the scope ofthe following claims.

I claim:

1. A knockdown packaging unit for the storing and shipping of furniture and the like, comprising horizontal spaced end frame members of stepped construction having horizontally extending arms projecting rearwardly from downwardly extending flanges, and with the horizontal arms of each frame member being of different length and located at two different heights to accommodate furniture underneath the same of varying configuration and with the flanges extending downwardly from the higher horizontal arms being located rearwardly of the flanges of the lower horizontal arms, a first protective panel of a predetermined width received by the horizontal arms of the frames at one level and a second protective panel of a predetermined different width received by the horizontal arms of the frame at a second level, back plates extending vertically with the ends resting on the end frames, a base panel secured to the front vertically extending flanges of the end frames and a second base panel secured to the rear downwardly extending flanges of the end frames above the respective back plate secured thereto, and readily removable brackets extending intermittently between the horizontal frame arms beneath the protective panels and upwardly behind the back plates, and means connecting the brackets to the protective panels and back plates to support the protective panels intermediate the horizontal end frames.

2. The knockdown packaging unit of claim 1, in which each frame member is of two parts, end walls provided as part of a packaging box, means to secure the frame members to said walls to provide said walls as supports for the frame members, and the said frame members being interchangeable in positioning said frame members on the end walls to receive different width panels at interchangeable horizontal levels and thereby store furniture of different configuration.

3. The knockdown packaging units of claim 2, in which the means to secure the frame members to the end walls are vertically spaced rail members secured to the end walls with horizontally spaced apertures provided in said rail members, and hooks secured to the horizontally extending arms of the frame members in registry with the apertures in the rails to be received by the apertures so that the frame members can be readily hooked to and unhooked from the rails.

4. The knockdown packaging unit of claim 1, in which the frame members are of one-piece construction and comprise legs extending vertically from the horizontally extending arms to support the unit on the floor, and the upper horizontal arm is longer than the lower horizontal arm, the said horizontal arms being of a length to receive the narrowest panel and the upper arm being of a length to receive the widest panel, and the widest panel being cut out at the rear portion of the ends so that it will pass the forward vertically extending arms projecting upwardly from the lowermost arms, the forward end portion of the widest panel in lowermost position being supported on the lowermost arms and the panel being further supported at its respective ends by said removable brackets.

5. The knockdown packaging unit of claim 1, including channel shaped clips intermittently secured to the forward edge of each panel and to each back plate with each clip having an opening in the base of said clip, and each bracket having a horizontally extending leg terminating in an upwardly extending flange at the rear end, a reverse bend provided at the ends of each bracket to lodge each bracket in an opening in a clip, and a metal member secured to the forward end of each bracket to connect each bracket to one of the base panels.

6. The knockdown packaging unit of claim 3, including means to secure the base panels to the frame members so that the panels can be quickly removed, a slot provided in the comer of each frame member, a U-shaped clamp extending through the base panel and the frame member, and a pin extending downwardly through each slot and through aligned slots in the clamp to secure the base panel to the frame, the said pin being tapered on the inside with straight surfaces engaging the U-shaped clamp within the slots therein when the pin is driven home and a projection on the upper end of the pin to engage the frame and stop downward movement of the pin.

7. The knockdown packaging unit of claim 5, wherein the metal member secured to the forward end of each bracket comprises a U-shaped channel fitting over the upper end portion of a base panel.

8. The knockdown packaging unit of claim 5, wherein the metal member secured to the forward end of each bracket comprises an angle shaped member with the horizontal leg secured to a bracket and a depending leg extending downward from the forward end, a U-shaped clip secured over the upper end of a base plate with the clip having an opening therein, and a slot in the upper end of the base plate alignedwith the opening in the clip, and said leg extending through the clip opening'and into the base plate slot to connect the bracket and base plate.

9. ln a knockdown packaging unit for the storing of furniture and the like in a packing box consisting of top and bottom walls, end walls and front and rear walls, said packaging unit being located within the box and comprising horizontal spaced accommodate furniture of different configuration, back plates extending upwardly behind the respective panels and with the ends of said back plates resting on the horizontal arms of the end frames, a base panel secured to the forwardly downwardly extending flanges of the end frame and a second base panel secured to the rearwardly downwardly extending flanges of the end frames with the latter being located above the lowermost located back plate, and support members disposed intermediate the end frames and connecting the respective protective panels to the respective base panel and back plate with which they are assembled to support the protective panels from said base panels and back plates.

10. The knockdown packaging unit of claim 9 in which the end frames comprise a first set of end frames and a second set of end frames separate from the first set with said respective sets of end frames adapted to be removably secured to the inside of said end walls of the packaging box at different heights with the horizontal arms of one set of corresponding end frames being of greater length than the other corresponding set of end frames, and the first set of end frames being interchangeable with the second set of end frames to receive the different width panels at interchangeable horizontal levels. 

1. A knockdown packaging unit for the storing and shipping of furniture and the like, comprising horizontal spaced end frame members of stepped construction having horizontally extending arms projecting rearwardly from downwardly extending flanges, and with the horizontal arms of each frame member being of different length and located at two different heights to accommodate furniture underneath the same of varying configuration and with the flanges extending downwardly from the higher horizontal arms being located rearwardly of the flanges of the lower horizontal arms, a first protective panel of a predetermined width received by the horizontal arms of the frames at one level and a second protective panel of a predetermined different width received by the horizontal arms of the frame at a second level, back plates extending vertically with the ends resting on the end frames, a base panel secured to the front vertically extending flanges of the end frames and a second base panel secured to the rear downwardly extending flanges of the end frames above the respective back plate secured thereto, and readily removable brackets extending intermittently between the horizontal frame arms beneath the protective panels and upwardly behind the back plates, and means connecting the brackets to the protective panels and back plates to support the protective panels intermediate the horizontal end frames.
 2. The knockdown packaging unit of claim 1, in which each frame member is of two parts, end walls provided as part of a packaging box, means to secure the frame members to said walls to provide said walls as supports for the frame members, and the said frame members being interchangeable in positioning said frame members on the end walls to receive different width panels at interchangeable horizontal levels and thereby store furniture of different configuration.
 3. The knockdown packaging units of claim 2, in which the means to secure the frame members to the end walls are vertically spaced rail members secured to the end walls with horizontally spaced apertures provided in said rail members, and hooks secured to the horizontally extending arms of the frame members in registry with the apertures in the rails to be received by the apertures so that the frame members can be readily hooked to and unhooked from the rails.
 4. The knockdown packaging unit of claim 1, in which the frame members are of one-piece construction and comprise legs extending vertically from the horizontally extending arms to support the unit on the floor, and the upper horizontal arm is longer than the lower horizontal arm, the said horizontal arms being of a length to receive the narrowest panel and the upper arm being of a length to receive the widest panel, and the widest panel being cut out at the rear portion of the ends so that it will pass the forward vertically extending arms projecting upwardly from the lowermost arms, the forward end portion of the widest panel in lowermost position being supported on the lowermost arms and the panel being further supported at its respective ends by said removable brackets.
 5. The knockdown packaging unit of claim 1, including channel shaped clips intermittently secured to the forward edge of each panel and to each back plate with each clip having an opening in the base of said clip, and each bracket having a horizontally extending leg terminating in an upwardly extending flange at the rear end, a reverse bend provided at the ends of each bracket to lodge each bracket in an opening in a clip, and a metal member secured to the forward end of each bracket to connect each bracket to one of the base panels.
 6. The knockdown packaging unit of claim 3, including means to secure the base panels to the frame members so that the panels can be quickly removed, a slot provided in the corner of each frame member, a U-shaped clamp extending through the base panel and the frame member, and a pin extending downwardly through each slot and through aligned slots in the clamp to secure the base panel to the frame, the said pin being tapered on the inside with straight surfaces engaging the U-shaped clamp within the slots therein when the pin is driven home and a projection on the upper end of the pin to engage the frame and stop downward movement of the pin.
 7. The knockdown packaging unit of claim 5, wherein the metal member secured to the forward end of each bracket comprises a U-shaped channel fitting over the upper end portion of a base panel.
 8. The knockdown packaging unit of claim 5, wherein the metal member secured to the forward end of each bracket comprises an angle shaped member with the horizontal leg secured to a bracket and a depending leg extending downward from the forward end, a U-shaped clip secured over the upper end of a base plate with the clip having an opening therein, and a slot in the upper end of the base plate aligned with the opening in the clip, and said leg extending through the clip opening and into the base plate slot to connect the bracket and base plate.
 9. In a knockdown packaging unit for the storing of furniture and the like in a packing box consisting of top and bottom walls, end walls and front and rear walls, said packaging unit being located within the box and comprising horizontal spaced end frame members having horizontal arms at different heights projecting rearwardly from downwardly extending flanges forwardly and rearwardly located to form end frames of stepped construction, a firSt protective removable panel of a predetermined width received by the horizontal arms of the end frames at one level and a second removable protective panel of a greater width received by the horizontal arms of the end frames located at a second level, the said protective panels of different width being interchangeable with respect to location on the horizontal arms of the respective end frames to accommodate furniture of different configuration, back plates extending upwardly behind the respective panels and with the ends of said back plates resting on the horizontal arms of the end frames, a base panel secured to the forwardly downwardly extending flanges of the end frame and a second base panel secured to the rearwardly downwardly extending flanges of the end frames with the latter being located above the lowermost located back plate, and support members disposed intermediate the end frames and connecting the respective protective panels to the respective base panel and back plate with which they are assembled to support the protective panels from said base panels and back plates.
 10. The knockdown packaging unit of claim 9 in which the end frames comprise a first set of end frames and a second set of end frames separate from the first set with said respective sets of end frames adapted to be removably secured to the inside of said end walls of the packaging box at different heights with the horizontal arms of one set of corresponding end frames being of greater length than the other corresponding set of end frames, and the first set of end frames being interchangeable with the second set of end frames to receive the different width panels at interchangeable horizontal levels. 